East and South East England Office

We’re proud of our recent work in the restructuring of music services and working with peri teachers, of our continuous involvement with employers across the region from Bournemouth symphony orchestra to the Great Escape Festival in Brighton and Wild Paths Festival in Norwich. And of our work helping members by holding educational events around the region with PRS and CMU, to covering disciplinary actions, child protection issues and contract advice.

Contact us

We help our members across the region – from Skegness to Poole, out through East Anglia and the home counties, and over the rest of South East England (excluding London).

Contact info

0207 840 5537 Send an enquiry Office hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 5:30pm

Musicians' Union, 30 Snowsfields, London SE1 3SU

Paul Burrows

Regional Organiser

East & South East England

esee@theMU.org

Tom Eagle

Regional Officer

East & South East England

esee@theMU.org

Ashleigh Drinkall

Membership Services Assistant

membership@themu.org

Get involved with your Region

Meet the East & South East England Regional Committee

The East & South East England region has a dynamic Regional Committee made up of activist members who help to deal with issues and policy in the region. Meet the members, find out what they do and how you too can be involved.

East & South East England Regional AGM

Members and MU Officials meet once year at the AGM to discuss the work of the MU and its Regional Office.

Watch: An Overview of the East & South East England Regional Committee

In this short video clip, hear from East & South East England Regional Committee members about why it's important to get involved and what issues, whether they be local or national, are typically discussed at Committee meetings.

East and South East England news

Naomi Pohl at Labour Party Conference 2024 holding a placard that says 'Labour's New Deal for Working People'.

MU Celebrates Employment Rights Bill – A Major Win for Trade Unions

We welcome the Labour Government's new Employment Rights Bill, introducing measures that strengthen the collective voice of workers across the UK.

Published: 10 October 2024

Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking at Labour Party Conference 2024.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Backs Access to Music Education for Every Child

The Prime Minister shared how music has improved his life, and why he supports access to music education for every child.

Published: 25 September 2024

Old, golden theatre binoculars resting on top of a musical score sheet.

What the Current Status of UK Opera Funding Means for Musicians and Audiences in 2024

Further to the release of Arts Council England’s Let's Create report, an analysis of opera and music theatre in England and Wales, journalist Andrew Stewart investigates the sector's current landscape and how this relates to the report, our members and the wider industry.

Published: 01 July 2024

A young musician with an acoustic guitar following the train tracks in Woodbridge, Suffolk

MU Concerned by Suffolk Council Arts Cuts

The £500,000 cut to arts funding in 2024/25 budget announced by Suffolk County Council.

Published: 10 January 2024

General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

Read all ESE news

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

stacked rocks on the shore against blue sky

25 Nov 2024

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques.

Online Member only

Last chance to book

Woman smiling while looking at a laptop screen.

25 Nov 2024

RSM Social Networking

Meet colleagues from across the music profession for an informal gathering over Zoom.

Online

Last chance to book

29 Nov 2024

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically.

Online Member only

See all ESE events

Fair Play Venues

Grassroots music venues in East and South East England

The Sound Lounge

A 120 (mixed seated and standing) capacity venue for roots music, with full backline in Surrey.

Surrey

The Craufurd Arms

A 300 capacity live music venue, theatre and pub.

Milton Keynes

The Three Horseshoes

A rural country pub venue close to centres of population.

Lickfold

The Wedgewood Rooms and Edge of the Wedge

A 400 capacity, medium sized town centre venue, hosting live music including touring and tribute bands, comedy, theatre and club nights.

Portsmouth

Boileroom

A community hub offering potential support shows and venue hire.

Guildford

The Horn

A medium sized city centre venue, hosting live music nights six nights per week.

St Albans

Komedia - Brighton

A 400 capacity venue which works with promoters to host shows.

Brighton

Joiners

A small 200 capacity venue established in 1968.

Southampton

East and South East England Office